TCS in Chinese JV with Microsoft

MUMBAI: IndiaÂ’s largest software exporter Tata Consultancy Services Ltd's has entered into a new joint venture in China with Microsoft Corp.

The new JV will be ready to go on stream next quarter, S.Ramadorai, CEO of TCS said.

Last June, TCS had announced venture with the worldÂ’s biggest software company, China's Uniware Co Ltd, and two Chinese software parks.

Â“The groundwork is in progress right now,Â” Ramadorai said on the sidelines of a news conference, adding that TCS would hold 65 percent.

The yet to named entity which would see its 400 staff rise to 4000-5000 in four to five years, will cater to China and multinational companies operating there, as well as Korea and Japan.

Ramadorai said it would essentially look at opportunities in financial services. Â“The banks there require a lot of automation. There is also a lot of work to be done for the regulatory system.Â”

Another area of opportunity was that of sports, particularly ahead of the Beijing Olympics in 2008. TCS has a 350 strong development center in China. Ramadorai said the aim was ultimately to bring everything under a single fold, but the present entity would operate separately from the joint venture for now.